Police stations 2.7.2 Light switches in detention rooms at police stations During several monitoring and control visits in police stations, the NPM observed that detention rooms did not dispose of light switches that can be reached by the detainees. They thus have no control over the lighting – even though they can be detained for up to 48 hours in these cells. They have to rely on the law enforcement officers to fulfil their needs. In principle, the NPM assumes that the competent police officers make an effort to fulfil the needs of the detained persons. However, the NPM believes that it must also be considered that the control of the light implies the possibility of abusing power. Worse treatment than prison inmates Prison inmates are entitled to reading lamps that can be switched on and off. For this reason, the NPM has difficulty to understand, from a human rights points of view, why detainees who are merely suspected of having committed a punishable deed are subjected to greater restriction during detention. The CPT standards [CPT/Inf/E (2002) 1 – rev. 2010, German, p. 15, margin No. 47] also recommend the appropriate lighting of police cells that is bright enough to be able to read, outside of sleeping times. The Human Rights Advisory Council, which is involved in the monitoring proceedings, made a statement recommending the provision of individual reading lamps in addition to the general room lighting. The NPM recommended the Federal Ministry of the Interior to install light switches that the detainees can operate from inside the detention rooms as a standard. However, as those affected can be agitated after being arrested and taken to a police station, it should also be possible to deactivate the light switches from the outside in emergency situations. Federal Ministry rejects implementation In a statement, the Federal Ministry of the Interior rejected this recommendation. The Ministry argued that the existing regulations suffice to guarantee adequate lighting. Furthermore, the Federal Ministry holds the view that not only the short duration of the detention in a police station is an argument against implementing the recommendation, but also suicide prevention (increased risk potential through power outlets). The NPM regrets the stance taken by the Federal Ministry, but needless to say stands by its recommendation. XX 160  Detention rooms in police stations must be equipped with light switches that can be operated from the inside, but can also be deactivated from the outside for safety reasons. The Directive on Workplaces must be altered accordingly.